CFR: Alpacas obscure, perfect animals for Farmfair exhibitors

Emma Prestwich, Edmonton Journal11.05.2012

Riders compete in the Alberta Annual Classic Team Penning finals at Farmfair International in the Expo Centre in Edmonton, Nov. 4, 2012. Farmfair showcases more than 1000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and stock dogs.Ed Kaiser
/ Edmonton Journal

Danielle Gallant with his horses in the heavy horse pulls competition at Farmfair International in the Expo Centre in Edmonton, Nov. 4, 2012. Farmfair showcases more than 1000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and stock dogs.Ed Kaiser
/ Edmonton Journal

Riders compete in the Alberta Annual Classic Media Team Penning at Farmfair International in the Expo Centre in Edmonton, Nov. 4, 2012. Farmfair showcases more than 1000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and stock dogs.Ed Kaiser
/ Edmonton Journal

Alpacas wait to be judged at the Alpaca Odyssey Show at Farmfair International in the Expo Centre in Edmonton on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Farmfair showcases more than 1,000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and stock dogs.
/ Edmonton Journal

Byron McMillan grooming Grant, a six year old Belgian horse getting him ready for the heavy horse pull competition at Farmfair International in the Expo Centre in Edmonton, Nov. 4, 2012. Farmfair showcases more than 1000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and stock dogs.Ed Kaiser
/ Edmonton Journal

Larry Scott try to hold Storm, a 27 month old alpaca, who is backpedaling during judging competition in the Alpaca Odyssey Show at Farmfair International in the Expo Centre in Edmonton, Nov. 4, 2012. Farmfair showcases more than 1000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and stock dogs.Ed Kaiser
/ Edmonton Journal

Owners and their horses wait they turn in the heavy horse pulls at Farmfair International in the Expo Centre in Edmonton, Nov. 4, 2012. Farmfair showcases more than 1000 head of cattle, 800 horses, alpacas and stock dogs.Ed Kaiser
/ Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - While most people move out to the country for the fresh air, Deryl Ring did it for the alpacas.“We’re city folks, moved to the country, and alpacas were probably the first thing we bought, even before we had a house out there.”

Many people don’t know much about the long-necked, fluffy creatures, which are related to llamas, but Ring calls them the “perfect animals.” The Saskatoon man and his wife have been breeding alpacas for the past 15 years and now own more than 100.

“They’re great to look at, they’re just like big teddy bears, and they’re quiet, they’re easy to keep, they’re not dangerous to be around, kids can work with them, they don’t eat a ton ... everything is perfect.”

He has been travelling across Canada for the past several weeks showing his animals, which have already snagged first-place prizes at several shows.

He added two more ribbons to his collection at the Alpaca Club’s Alpaca Odyssey show Sunday. The fall championship show was one of the first events to kick off Farmfair International at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

Two of Ring’s two-year-old male alpacas won the first and second-place prizes for their age category. Ring said the first-place winner usually comes in second.

“Usually it’s been the other way around, at all the shows so far over the last two years, so it was kind of nice, actually. I think it’s hard to come in second place to your brother all the time.”

After the prizes are awarded, members of the audience can come and personally inspect the animals. Ring said this is when prospective buyers decide whether his animals are up to snuff.

“It’s a pretty big show for us, not only publicity-wise, but it promotes your farm, promotes your breeding program,” he said.

He and his wife have managed to fully support themselves off their alpacas. Most of the money comes from the sale of breeding stock, but some also comes from weavers and knitters who crave the animal’s soft fleece. The average alpaca produces five to 10 pounds of fleece a year.

Kris and Dave Tailby, who run Tail Spin Alpacas, a hobby farm outside of St. Albert, also benefit from the demand for alpaca wool.

“When we shear, there’s this offshoot of the industry, the weavers and the knitters. They do like to get the raw fleeces,” said Kris.

However, she said the animals are also good companions.

“It’s odd, when we first moved to the country, I didn’t know what an alpaca was. But they are the most calming, wonderful animals, with such individual personalities. Cows, I probably would have waffled, but this is the right size.”

The two were at the fair all day Sunday to show their stock at the Alpaca Club’s competition.

Kris, who works in Edmonton during the week as an area manager for Canada Post, said she loves coming home to her alpacas.

“When you’ve had those days, it’s great to come home to these guys. They just want to be loved.”

Farmfair visitor Stacie Kartz, who lives on a farm in Leduc, was fascinated by the ungainly animals she saw in the pens at the fair.

“I’ve never seen an alpaca before ... they’re not very common to farms,” she said.

Kris Tailby said she doesn’t know why alpacas are so obscure.

“I don’t know why people don’t know about them. They give a gift that keeps on giving.”

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.